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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"